Dickens & Rumi

book

The Taking (The Taking #1)

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Kimberly Derting · 2014

Is The Taking (The Taking #1) appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Taking (The Taking #1) by Kimberly Derting. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Romance; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Romance 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Recommendation3.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 3.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 23, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Implied or mentioned deaths of peers and the mystery surrounding missing persons.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal; minor injuries may be described in the context of action.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity appropriate for the YA genre.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Standard YA romantic subplot involving the protagonist's relationships.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Suspenseful alien-abduction mystery and threats may feel frightening, especially around missing people, but the tone is more sci-fi adventure than intense horror.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Very mild; typical teen crush scenarios.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mention or peripheral use; not a focus.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes some tense moments, physical struggle, and danger related to the sci-fi plot.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Central to the plot as characters face unknown, powerful forces.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Features unique sci-fi concepts and mystery-solving elements.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

General representation within a typical high school setting.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Mainly entertainment-focused science fiction.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Interpersonal support between friends is shown.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Themes include identity, trust, resilience, loyalty, coping with loss, and confronting frightening uncertainty.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonist shows bravery and determination in difficult circumstances.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Taking (The Taking #1) would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Taking (The Taking #1), and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

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Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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